NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: Godmanchester Rovers challenged to end 2017 on an unbeaten high

Manager Ollie Drake has challenged his Godmanchester Rovers players to see out 2017 in unbeaten style.

Drake’s side have lost only one of their last eight fixtures in all competitions and he is keen for their pleasing form to continue to end the year with five more tests ahead.

Four of those are in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division following a trip to lower-level Wisbech St Mary in the opening round of the Hinchingbrooke Cup tomorrow night (Wednesday).

Rovers entertain Hadleigh in their next league game this Saturday ahead of trips to Thetford (December 26) and Newmarket (Boxing Day) either side of Christmas. They see out the year with a home clash against Stanway Rovers on December 30.

“Our remaining fixtures this year are far from easy,” admitted Drake. “But my goal is for us to get to the end of 2017 without losing again.

“That’s the challenge I’ll be setting the lads tonight and it is one I feel they are very capable of achieving.

“We’re expecting a difficult cup tie at Wisbech St Mary, but it is a match we intend to win. The same goes for the league game against Hadleigh on Saturday, but they certainly can’t be under-estimated after performing well against top sides in recent days.

“They led at Coggeshall for a long period last Tuesday before eventually losing the game and only went down by one goal to Ely at the weekend.

“We know the games at Thetford and Newmarket will be tough and I saw Stanway are a handful as well when watching them win at Newmarket last Saturday, but we feel we’re in good form and believe we can kick on.”

Drake took the opportunity to watch two of his side’s upcoming opponents as Rovers’ own fixture last Saturday – away at Gorleston – was postponed.

They enjoyed a pleasing victory in midweek when beating Saffron Walden at the David Wilson Homes Ground.

Defender Charlie Brown (who opened his account in his second game after returning to the club) and captain Micky Hyem grabbed second-half goals in a 2-0 victory last Wednesday.

“We were absolutely excellent in tough conditions,” added Drake. “We defended for our lives against a strong wind and then got the goals we deserved in the second half.

“It was great for Charlie to get his first goal since being back and good for Micky to chip in as well. He takes a bit of stick – usually from his brother, Chris – for not scoring as many as he used to, but he plays a bit deeper these days and his job is to start moves rather than finish them.”

Drake could make one more addition to his squad ahead of the festive period.